We are creating and strengthening a milieu of influential individuals who understand and care about the Polish-Jewish dialogue. The best proof of the program success is the list of its participants and our partners. This exclusive program is currently the only on-going exchange program between a Polish NGO and a big, important Jewish organization in the United States, such as the American Jewish Committee.

Since 1996, The Forum for Dialogue Among Nations has been organizing the program, together with the American Jewish Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. Each year a group of Polish leaders of public opinion visits the United States and Forum hosts a delegation of AJC board members in Poland .

The program is a unique opportunity for people of various backgrounds - journalists, businessmen, artists - to get to know AJC, its mission and work, but above all, it is a chance to look at the Polish-Jewish relations from the perspective of American Jews. During a week-long study trip the delegation visits Washington, Chicago and New York. They talk with politicians about the Polish-American relations, analyze the image of Poles and Poland in the US, learn how the Holocaust is being taught at schools. They discuss the most important topics in Polish-Jewish relations and reflect on how they could make a difference.

Likewise, each year a delegation from US makes an exceptional trip to Poland. We try to expand the scope of interest beyond the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism, in which Poland is often regarded in the US. We want to present a picture that is honest and complete - without embellishments or condemnation. In the course of the program Forum organizes meetings with experts in the field of Polish-Jewish relations: politicians, diplomats, historians, journalists. The participants have a chance to meet with the leaders of the Polish-Jewish community and learn about contemporary Poland. The Forum also introduces its guests to the history of the Polish Jewry and institutions concerned with the preservation of the Jewish memory and development of Polish-Jewish relations. This visit is a unique opportunity to bridge the Polish and Jewish way of perceiving the world and look for new ways of building cooperation between Poles and Jews in the future.

"Our exchange program has introduced a new generation of Poles and a new generation of American Jews to each other - to their lives, to their communities, to their hopes and aspirations. We are fostering understanding and appreciation and in the process new allies in the battles against bigotry and anti-Semitism."

Rabbi Andrew Baker, Director of International Jewish Affairs, American Jewish Committee

"Even though I have been always interested in Jewish history and culture, this trip was an eye opener on so many levels. The richness and diversity of Jewish life in the US is so impressive and something that Poland is lacking, mostly due to the events of the Holocaust. An intimate discussion of Polish-Jewish relations is also crucial for mutual understanding."

Mikolaj Lizut, journalist, Editor-in-Chief of Radio Roxy

"The visit is a great lesson of how to talk seriously about often sensitive issues and an occasion to meet people of great influence in America and favorably inclined towards Poland."

Krzysztof Burnetko, journalist for the "Polityka" magazine

Read about the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Polish-Jewish Exchange Program:

http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=2818289&content_id=%7BB12B9C63-B3F2-4429-B6C1-237B1140A663%7D¬oc=1

http://www.dialog.org.pl/en/news_forum_celebrates_15th_anniversary_of_cooperation_with_ajc_on_the_polish-jewish_american_exchange_program.html